How’s LinkedIn Working for You?

Occasionally I still run across a client who doesn’t have a LinkedIn profile at all or has one that’s barely a skeleton of what it should be. Sometimes it’s because they don’t understand or don’t agree that it’s necessary.

But it is. At least it is if you want to be taken seriously as a professional, senior manager, or executive in your chosen field. As writer Larry Kim says, “Even though you’re busy, LinkedIn is one place you can’t forget. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of it.” If you want to progress and move forward in your career, you need to add “manage my LinkedIn profile” to your to-do list.

Point #1: Keep your profile updated–at least the basics. Larry’s article puts it bluntly: “Whether you’re a total newbie, just starting a new job, or starting to explore new opportunities, there’s no excuse to have outdated information on LinkedIn. It will reflect badly on you.”

Point #2: Have a professional photo of yourself. Larry says, “LinkedIn profiles that have a picture are 11 times more likely to be viewed. So if you’re still showing a silhouette, it’s time to make a change and reveal yourself.” I tell clients the photo doesn’t necessarily have to be taken by a professional photographer, but it should LOOK as if it had been.

When & How Do You Start Revamping Your Profile?

As the year-end rapidly approaches, I recommend that you use this time to take a look at your LinkedIn profile. Try to make your assessment as impersonal as you can–or ask someone else to do it that you know will be straight-up with you. The feedback might make you uncomfortable at first, but if you take appropriate action, the results will be well worth it.

Would you publish an ad for a product that you wanted someone to buy but make the ad look as if it were done by a third-grader or by someone who didn’t really care about the results the ad might bring?

Like it or not, your LinkedIn profile (or lack thereof) can play a huge role in whether or not potential employers ever look at you–that is, if they visit your profile, will they see even one good reason to look more closely at you as a candidate for their job opening?

Build a Viable & Strong LinkedIn Network

Part of strengthening your LinkedIn profile involves building and maintaining a strong, viable network of connections. If you don’t have at least 250–preferably 500 or more–you have some work to do. But, please, don’t just use LinkedIn’s default (and very boring) invitation wording!

To help clients build up their networks through invitations that might get a positive response, I’ve put together a short “cheat-sheet” that includes a modified screen shot to show how they can send a customized connection request.

Special, No-Obligation Offer: If you’d like to receive this tip sheet, just email me at success@ablueribbonresume.com and put “LinkedIn Connection Sheet” in the subject line. I’ll happily send it to you.